President Iliana Yotova met with European Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva to discuss the European Union's next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, with the talks focusing on competitiveness, innovation, artificial intelligence, and the future distribution of EU funding.
During the meeting at the presidential institution, Yotova expressed reservations about several proposals put forward by the European Commission regarding the future financing model for member states. She stressed that the planned European Competitiveness Fund should be designed to support the development of smaller and less economically advanced EU countries rather than place them at a disadvantage.
The president also reiterated her concerns over proposals to merge cohesion policy with the Common Agricultural Policy, arguing that such an approach could negatively affect countries such as Bulgaria. She further emphasized the need for clear and transparent criteria when linking the rule of law to the allocation of European funding.
Yotova and Zaharieva agreed that restoring Europe's competitiveness will require stronger cohesion policies, the creation of a single European capital market, simpler and more flexible procedures for accessing EU funding, and greater investment in high technologies and artificial intelligence.
